Introduction
When we say sacrifice, our attention is drawn to the act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else deemed to be worthy. As Christians, we look to the cross which reminds us of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. Jesus Christ gave up His status as God and life for us. He found you and me to be more important and worthy of the struggle and pain. Jesus’ death on the cross embodies just how much God loves us. This act of love practicalizes God's sacrificial life to us which is eternal and unconditional.
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1 (ESV)
As we benefit from the sacrificial life of Jesus Christ for our redemption, we should also consider what it means for us to exhibit God’s love. The love of Jesus on the cross reminds us that love is sacrificial; it requires giving up something. It takes intentional commitment and unselfishness on our part to give time, money, priority, and even kindness to others. Nowadays, everyone is running a busy life; our calendars are filled-up, pressure is mounting from everywhere, our frustrations rising high, and our self-centeredness in planning grows deeper. These are the very things that keep us from living a sacrificial life. That is why God is calling on us to give up something we value for the sake of something else more important or worthy.
Apostle Paul who is an example of sacrificial living gladly gave himself up to be spent for the sake of people's souls. "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved." 2 Corinthians 12:15 (NKJV)
Abraham had a strange call from God saying, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Genesis 22:2 (ESV). Sacrifice requires that which you love not necessarily what you can spare. The blessings of Abraham may not have come to pass but for his readiness to sacrifice his beloved son.
Leaders and Parents; must be ready to live sacrificial life to execute generational blessings. Listen to what God did after Abraham's act of sacrifice,
“By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring … offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”Genesis 22:16-18 (ESV)
David followed his selfish desire to count the people of Israel (1Chro. 21:2), and the people suffered for it (1Chro. 21:14). Your selfishness as leaders is causing so much distress to the people. God called you into authority to demonstrate sacrificial life to save His people.
Sacrificial life is selfless living; sinful life has always been selfishness. Sacrificial life is about letting go of what you hold so dear for the sake of others. Stealing, breaking people's hearts, adultery, murder, wars, quarrels, backbiting, fornication, betting, and cheating (general) are all rooted in self-centeredness.
Paul quizzed, "Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?" Romans 6:16 (ESV). Having received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you are to live a selfless life as He takes over from you.
Sacrificial living is spending and being spent. It is common as parents to sacrifice their all to create needed comfort for their wards. Paul illustrates this by saying, "And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children." 2 Corinthians 12:14 (ESV). Christians are called upon to "spend and be spent".
Spend; is giving off your very best to God (2 Cor. 8:1-3,9). Jesus gave His life for us and so also the churches of Macedonia, which are our reasonable example to follow. To spend is giving "a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God." Philippians 4:18 (ESV)
Be Spent; Being spent is the basic consideration of our Christian faith. As painful as it was for Abraham to sacrifice his only son, he was ready to be spent for God's command. Living a sinless life is being spent for God's righteousness.
The Reward for Sacrificial Life
The Christian life is sacrificial life. God gave His only begotten Son as a worthy sacrifice for all humanity. Our obedience to God presents us with what Christ sum-up saying,
"The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward." Matthew 10:41 (ESV). The reward of a prophet and righteous is as Abraham received, "I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” Genesis 22:17-18 (ESV)
The ultimate reward of all the sacrifices we make for God's sake is our welcome into the celestial city of God. "And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV) Heaven is our goal.
Conclusion
We are called on to demonstrate sacrificial life. By God’s grace, He gave us His only Son, the inexpressible gift. Consider the generous sacrificial life of the Lord Jesus in His own self-sacrifice. The simplest demonstration of appreciation is to "live for Christ and die for gain"
In life, when we determine and intentionally make choices to sacrifice for others, we are giving praise and honour to God – Romans 12:1. We do not need a big moment to make sacrifices. Each day, share your time, lend a helping hand, and exhibit kindness and love to those around you – even when you do not feel like it. Be intentional in moments to give something up to show someone they are important and loved.
Shalom aleichem...
Amen
ReplyDeleteGreat. I have to help others to make Christ happy
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